Page 24 of Purple Protector

“Exactly what I said. I won’t let you sleep on the floor. Your nest is big, especially if you stay in this form. We can share it.” Even if Birch shifted, there would be plenty of space in the nest for his dragon form and for Aaron. Aaron wasn’t big, especially next to a dragon.

“That’s not necessary.”

Aaron crossed his arms over his chest. He could be stubborn when he wanted to, and Birch was about to find out. “Either we share the nest, or I go back to my room.” He’d do it, even though he’d rather not. He wouldn’t kick Birch out of his nest, dammit. If Birch was so uncomfortable that he didn’t want to share with Aaron, Aaron wouldn’t stay with him. He’d rather go back to his own rooms and deal with the uneasiness.

“I’m supposed to stay with you and protect you,” Birch pointed out.

“And you can’t do that if you’re sleeping next to me?”

“If you decide to return to your room, I’ll have to go with you, and we’d have the same problem.”

He was right, dammit. “Then we’ll just have to share the nest.”

“Aaron.”

“No. I don’t know if it makes you uncomfortable to share a nest with me because of who I am or if you wouldn’t want to do it with anyone, but I’m not going to do anything weird. I wouldn’t.”

Maybe Birch knew that Aaron had a crush on him, and that was why he didn’t want to share. Maybe knowing that Aaron had feelings for him made him uncomfortable. Aaron wanted the floor to open up and swallow him, but unfortunately, he wouldn’t be going anywhere without Birch. The two of them were stuck together, no matter how they felt about it, although Aaron knew that if Birch asked, Killian would find someone else to take his place. Things wouldn’t be so bad if Marlin were the one to protect Aaron, but he didn’t want a stranger following him around.

“If you’re uncomfortable, we could ask Marlin to protect me instead of you,” Aaron offered.

Birch shook his head instantly. “Killian asked me to do it.”

“He’s your friend. If you tell him that you can’t do it, he’ll find another solution.”

“I want to protect you, Aaron. You’re right. We can share the nest. We’re both adults, so there’s no reason for us to be so awkward about it. Besides, I can protect you better the closer I am to you, right?”

And there was no being closer than sharing a nest. Aaron wasn’t sure that was how it worked, but who was he to argue? Birch had given in. He’d sleep in the nest next to Aaron.

If Birch thought this conversation was awkward, it would be nothing next to how awkward that would be.

BIRCH HAD DECIDED NOT to look too deeply into why he wanted to take care of Aaron so badly. Did it matter? Aaron needed to be protected, and Birch was willing to do it. That was what mattered. The fact that they would have to share a nest didn’t, although it might make things awkward. Thankfully, Aaron seemed to be okay with it. If he hadn’t been, Birch would have slept on the floor, no matter what Aaron thought of it. It wouldn’t be the first time, although it had been a while since the last time it had happened. He wasn’t a kid who went to sleepovers anymore.

“I can send someone to pack your things and move them here,” he offered.

Aaron was already shaking his head before Birch was done speaking. “No. I want to do that myself, but not today.” He hesitated. “I know you don’t have any clothes I can borrow, but I’ll figure something out.”

He seemed convinced of that, but Birch could see he was uncomfortable. He couldn’t imagine it would be great to sleep in the button-down shirt Aaron was wearing.

Aaron wasn’t wrong, unfortunately. Birch didn’t have any clothes that Aaron could borrow. He knew someone who did, though, and as soon as Aaron disappeared into the bathroom, Birch had his phone out.

Taylor was closer to Aaron’s size than Palmer, who was much taller. Taylor was more muscled than Aaron, but he’d probably have something Aaron could borrow. Thankfully, he answered right away.

“Hey, Palmer told me something happened to Aaron. Is he okay?”

“He was attacked in his room, but he’ll be fine. He’s staying with me for now, and he doesn’t feel like going to his room.”

“I can understand that. He’s not used to violence.”

“He’s not, but he also can’t sleep in a button-down shirt and dress pants. Do you think he could borrow something of yours? I’ll wash it and get it back to you as soon as he doesn’t need it anymore.”

“Yeah, of course. You don’t even have to ask. Want me to bring you a few t-shirts and sweatpants? That way, he can change tomorrow morning and doesn’t have to go around in the clothes he slept in the whole day.”

“That would be great. Thank you.”

“What for? Us clan humans have to stick with each other, yeah? And I like him. I don’t want this to scare him so badly that he leaves.”

Birch agreed with that, so he was happy that Aaron had decided to stay. He might still change his mind, but Birch didn’t think he would. Aaron wouldn’t give this up just because someone had attacked him.

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